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Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Nemecic Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
Tuomo Salonen (TS): It's been busy! Album artwork, lyric videos and all the other stuff related to the album release takes a fair amount of work. We've also been rehearsing for the upcoming shows.

2.In September you have a new album coming out, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
TS: Not too much thought was put into what the record should sound like – we did what felt natural. You can hear different kinds of stuff there really – it's not strictly a death metal or thrash metal record. There is aggression, there is speed, there is melody. Some of the songs even have alternative rock influences.
When we first started out back in 2005 we didn't really have a clear vision about what we wanted to do musically other than play metal. The last time we released something was back in 2010, so you can't compare the old and the new material, really. We're quite a different band now.

3.From 2012 to 2017 the band took a 5 year hiatus, what was the cause of the break and also the decision to get back together?
TS: We had a good thing going on after we released ”The First Morning and the Last Day” in 2010. We played in the legendary Nummirock festival in Finland in 2011 and people were starting to talk about us. After that we took some time off, which we definitely should have not done - you got to strike while the iron is hot and all that stuff. Our vocalist Psycho left the band in 2012. We tried out a couple vocalists, but I think two or three of them dropped out at the last minute for whatever reason, so we were left without a singer. Then it was time for our bassist Niilo to leave the band. Add the fact that we hadn't written anything new in three years, and we were seriously starting to question the future of the band. So it was all a big clusterfuck of bad calls, line-up problems and lack of new material.
Niko and I kept on jamming every now and then while we didn't have an active line-up. I had some ideas that we started working on, but we weren't sure at the time whether or not we would continue under the Nemecic name. Eventually the three of us decided to give it one more shot, and we recruited Emil (Borg, bass) in 2014. Henry (Hämäläinen, vocals) joined the band in 2015 and the current line-up was completed.

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?
Niko Anttila (NA): Basically it's all about life and death. Humankind has always had a huge need to escape mortality through man-made deities and stories of immortal heroes and I wanted to explore this inextinguishable need regarding this ongoing era where replaceable internal organs and exponentially growing computational power enable us to invent new ways to exist and increase our lifespan. Immortality is a mind-boggling concept and it sure as hell forces us to ponder on the question what life actually is. The album has a sort of dualistic message to it as it explores life and immortality, but on the other hand it also confesses flaws in human nature which will most definitely destroy us - once again it all boils down to human greed and overflowing stupidity which will be our undoing. I really love to wrap all these big metaphysical and philosophical questions into a warm and anecdotal telltale-like environment - I think it makes browsing through lyrics much more fun and it also leaves much room for listeners to make their own interpretations.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nemecic'?

NA: There is a certain appeal to the concept of rightful vengeance, isn't there? I mean it seems like a good way to express the final nonnegotiable price for all the transgressions done. Mankind has fallen into hubris and Nemecic ascends to pass a check that is most certainly going to bounce.

TS: There were like a gazillion bands called ”Nemesis”, so we went with the Greek spelling. To make things more confusing, we don't pronounce it the Greek way but as if it were written in English: ”Nemesis”.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
TS: The aforementioned Nummirock comes to mind. We had a perfect slot – Voivod had just finished their set on the main stage and quite a few people who weren't there to see us in particular were exposed to our music! Another good one was on our home turf in Jyväskylä in a club called Katse; I think the year was 2011. We'll play our album release show there next month.

We've always been an energetic live band. You have to deliver a show – watching people perform carbon copies of their recorded songs is boring as hell. The music has to be pretty damn exiting in order for a band to get away with standing still, staring at their instruments.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

TS: We have a couple of confirmed dates in Finland so far. We're hoping to do a proper Finnish tour next year and hopefully a couple of festivals as well.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death and thrash metal?

TS: Dunno about death/thrash fans, but the reviews from abroad have been positive. We haven't read a single bad review so far. I wouldn't be surprised to see the response in Finland to be a bit more average though... haha!

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that the band members are a part of?
TS: Me and Henry are the only ones who have other projects. Henry sings in Shade Empire and Asylum 8 (both metal) whereas I play in Tardy, a grunge rock band, and an Alice in Chains tribute band called Men in the Box.

10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

TS: Hard to say yet. Obviously we want to challenge ourselves and try to write stuff that feels fresh and exciting for us. There are some riffs and ideas, but we try not to think about it too much at this point. The new album isn't even out yet!

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
TS: I can only speak for myself and it's impossible to list them all, but if you listen to the album carefully you can hear the the influence of Fear Factory, Alice in Chains, Carcass, Slayer, Lamb of God, Sentenced, Katatonia and Meshuggah, for example. What do we listen to nowadays? It can be ”Licenced to Ill, ”Abbey Road” or ”Reek of Putrefaction” - it totally depends on the mood. We all have our musical favorites and perversions!